Friends mourn as Family releases funeral rites of Barrister Nnamani, ex- OMPADec Scribe

The family of Late Chief Albert Nnamani (Ike Ikem) of Ikem-Asokwa in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State has released his burial Programme, starting in Abuja on Thursday April 23 2026, with a Requiem Mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja.

Head of the family, Dr. Ikenna Nnamani, in a joint statement with the Chairman of the National Burial Committee, Chief Osita Okechukwu, indicated that there will be a Night of Tributes on Tuesday April 28, 2026, at the Amadeo Events Centre, Ebeano Tunnel, Enugu.

A service of songs will take place in his family Compound, Ikem, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu state on Friday, 1, 2026.

Interment will be in his Compound on Saturday May, 2, 2026 after a funeral mass at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ikem-Uno.

The family thanksgiving mass will be in the same Church on Sunday May, 3, 2026

 A Legacy of Excellence

Until his death on March 7 2026, in Abuja at age 81 years, Chief Albert Nnamani was a towering figure in the legal profession, public service, sports, and philanthropy. 

Known for his unwavering commitment to development, he leaves behind a legacy that has fundamentally shaped his community and other areas he came across.

Chief Nnamani was a man of many parts; a former Secretary of Sports and Enugu Rangers International Football Club, he later served as Secretary of the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADec) that is today's Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

A former Clerk of the Enugu State House of Assembly, he was a Director in two Federal Ministries - Transport and Steel Development, from where he retired. He was thereafter appointed as the Chairman of Enugu State Civil Service Commission.

Education 

He completed his infant education, A.B.C., and primary schooling (Primary 1–3) at St. Andrew's Anglican School in Ogor-Ikem in 1954. He then continued at St. Phillip’s Anglican School, Eha- Amufu, where he finished his primary education in 1957. While at Eha Amufu, he lived with Alhaji Musa, a business associate of his father.

In 1958, he gained admission to Metropolitan Secondary School, Onitsha, from where he graduated in 1962. In 1963, he joined the Nigerian Army alongside contemporaries such as Generals Moma and Chris Ali. His Military number was SERPAR 63/NA/4241. Following the 1966 coup, he fought on the Biafra side.

It was during the war, that he met his sweetheart, then Miss Maureen Comfort Ina from Ediba in Cross River State. Their marriage was blessed with seven children: Ngozi, Chioma, Ifeyinwa, Chinenye, Chika, Oge, and Ikenna.

By 1970, the war had ended, and he returned to his hometown of Ikem, where he began his career as the Secretary of Sports for Isi Uzo Division, starting a new chapter in his life. In 1974, he was transferred to Njikoka Division, serving for two years, before moving to Enugu, where he resumed as the Secretary of Sports for the then Old Anambra State. He was also the Secretary of the administrative team that led Rangers International to Egypt in 1977, with Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo as the chairman.

In 1979, he gained admission to study Business Administration at the University of Lagos. However, after his second year, he decided to pursue Law and began a law program at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, completing his studies at the law school in 1986. Immediately after law school, he joined Akpamgbo Chambers for his tutelage.

Life of Service 

While studying, he also pursued entrepreneurship and established ACNO Nig Enterprise with German partners, leading to multiple trips to Germany from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. In 1987, he ventured into politics by contesting for the chairmanship of Isi Uzo Local Government under Ibrahim Babangida’s Zero Party system.

By 1988, he had established a successful law firm in Ogui Road, Enugu. During his law practice, the first Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, appointed him as the Clerk of the Enugu State House of Assembly. 

Life of Fate 

While serving in this role, a notable incident occurred: the House members requested him to approve a sum of ₦3 million. He explained that he could not do so without the governor's consent, and since the governor was unavailable at the time, they attempted to suspend him—something they were not legally permitted to do. When the governor returned, he ordered Eze to resume his duties, but he chose to return to his law practice.

Soon after, he was appointed the Director General of the Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation in Enugu State. Subsequently, he was named the Administrative Secretary of the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADec), replacing labour activist Frank Kokori. 

He served in OMPADec until the coup led by Abacha, which resulted in the replacement of the chairman, A.K. Horsfall, with Prof. Eric Opiah, creating an unfavourable environment for him.

Following Abacha's death, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, with the support of the then Minister for Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo, seconded him to the Head of Service, where he was subsequently appointed as Director of Statistics. He later received a posting to the Ministry of Transport and finally to the Ministry of Power and Steel, where he retired in 2007. After his retirement, the Enugu State Government appointed him as the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission, a position he held for one term before stepping down.

Known as “A.I.” by his friends, he was sociable and had a likeable character. There was never a dull moment in his life. He was the President General of Federated Ikem Improvement Union (FIIU), belonged to several organisations and was a devout Catholic.

A member of the Knights of St. John International, and a member of the Enugu Sports Club, among others. He held the second-highest title in Ikem, "IKE IKEM II."